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After the sentencing, a teary-eyed female member of Mr Connors' family approached Budd and said: "You killed my brother."

Judge Joanna Korner said: "I describe this as a tragic case. It could be said that all such cases of this kind fall into that category.

"His death had been devastating for the whole family. His mother described him as the organiser of the family whose siblings relied on.

"It is right to say that any sentence passed on the man responsible for bringing about this situation cannot regrettably change the reality or the loss that Mr Connors' family is suffering."

Budd was downcast during the court hearing, becoming "withdrawn" and "depressed" since the crash and now relies on medication, the court heard.

Prosecutor Philip Stott said: "At around 8:45am just west of the interchange with Harrow Manorway the deceased, Michael Connors, was riding a horse drawn cart westward in Eastern Way in the outmost lane.

"The cart was of a type known as a 'sulky': it was of a light metal construction with two bicycle type wheels and a seat in between the two wheels and two carriage arms that go either side of the horse.

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"The horse pulling the sulky was a trotting pony from a very successful racing pedigree, it was called Tony Montana and was worth over £12,000. It was familiar with travel on roads and comfortable in traffic.

"The defendant was driving a white BMW motorcar in the same direction.

"One witness was travelling in the same direction in his own car immediately in front of the defendant's BMW.

"He recalls one or two cars in front of him that moved out to overtake the horse and cart before he did the same manoeuvre.

"The defendant appeared confused and shaken. The second witness told the defendant to park his car and go back, which he did.

"Mr Connors died at the scene as a result of the injuries he received in the collision. Life was pronounced extinct at 9.25am. His horse was so seriously injured that it had to be euthanised at the scene.

"Mr Budd did not initially identify himself as the driver of the vehicle to police, instead describing himself as a witness.

"He was approached again by an officer due to his demeanour and then identified himself as the driver."

Budd was arrested and sent to Plumstead Police station.

He has been ordered to complete two 18 month long community orders requiring him to complete 300 hours of unpaid work for causing death by dangerous driving and 100 hours for damaging property, in respect to the horse.

A statement by Mr Connors', wife Elizabeth, read by Mr Stott, said: "My world has been turned upside down."

In a letter to the Connors family, Budd wrote: "I'm so sorry to the Connors family. I cannot begin to imagine how hard this has been for them. I also feel remorse for the horse as well.

"My heart breaks for his family and friends and I often wish it had been me who died."

Defending, Dickon (corr) Reid said: "He is a sensitive man, a kind hearted man, not a jack the lad."